India's fertiliser stocks sufficient to meet farmers' needs: Govt
New Delhi, June 8
The overall stock position of fertilisers in the country to meet the requirement of farmers in the current kharif season is comfortable despite the supply chain disruptions due to the West Asia conflict, according to an update provided by the Ministry of Fertilisers on Monday.
"For Kharif 2026, the fertiliser requirement has been reassessed at 383.9 lakh metric tonnes (LMT). Against this, the stock, as on today, is around 197.56 LMT, which is more than 51 per cent of the required amount and significantly higher than the usual level of about 33 per cent that is usually stocked at this point of the year. This reflects improved planning, advance stocking, and efficient logistics management by the government," a ministry statement said.
Indian farmers have already purchased a total of 86.65 LMT chemical fertilisers in the ongoing Kharif-2026 season, till June 7, which is approximately 22.57 per cent of the total requirement.
Indian farmers procured 11.17 LMT of organic manure after the Iran war (Punjab 2.83 LMT, UP 2.71 LMT, Haryana 1.33 LMT, MP 1.25 LMT, Gujarat 0.96 LMT, Maharashtra 0.84 LMT) compared to 3.20 LMT during the corresponding period last year. This substantial increase reflects a positive trend towards greater adoption of organic nutrient sources and indicates a gradual shift in farmers' preference from chemical fertilisers to organic alternatives, the statement said.
A total of approximately 147.40 LMT of fertilisers through imports and domestic production has been added to the availability after the West Asia conflict started on February 28.
In June, it is expected that more than 25 LMT of imported urea, DAP and NPKs will reach the Indian ports. India has issued another global tender for the procurement of 17 LMT of urea, which is in progress.
Availability of inputs for the production of fertilisers, including urea and P&K fertilisers, is being regularly reviewed by the Department of Fertilisers. All the subsidy bills raised by the companies are being paid on a weekly basis, and at present, an adequate budget is available for payment of fertiliser subsidy, it added.
India's fertiliser security remains strong, stable, and well-managed, with availability consistently exceeding requirement across all major fertilisers, the statement said.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Impressive logistical management despite the West Asia conflict. But I wonder – are small farmers in remote areas actually getting access to these stocks? The numbers look good on paper, but ground reality often differs. Let's hope the distribution chain works smoothly this season.
Finally some proactive planning! Usually we hear about shortages only after the season starts. The 33% to 51% improvement in early stocking is a big deal. And the organic manure shift? Punjab alone buying 2.83 LMT – that's massive. Our soil needs this balance. 👌
As someone working in agri-logistics, I can say this is a significant achievement. Stocking 197 LMT out of 384 LMT requirement before the peak season, plus adding 147 LMT post-conflict, shows robust supply chain management. The weekly subsidy payments also help companies maintain production. Good governance in action.
Ek baat toh clear hai – planning behtar hui hai pehle se. But I'm cautiously optimistic. Kharif season mein maang badhti hai, aur distribution mein gadbad kabhi bhi ho sakti hai. Let's see if the 25 LMT arriving in June reaches the fields on time. Organic manure ka push achha hai par chemical fertilisers ki dependency kam karna bhi zaroori hai.
The organic manure surge is the real story here. India's soil has been degraded by excessive chemical use. If we can genuinely shift farmer preference towards organic alternatives while maintaining yields, that's a win-win. The Punjab numbers (
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